5 Best Sights in Lyon and the Alps, France

Situated in the old religious quarter high over the town, this 14th-century fortification (built in 1359) provides an exceptional 360-degree panorama over the port, the river, Vivier's rooftops, and the Rhone Valley.

Built in 1119 on the Rocher de Chateauviex and adjacent to the 11th-century Tour Saint-Michel, this elegant cathedral is a mix of medieval Romanesque and gothic architectures. The arched ceilings and apse were destroyed in the 16th century during the Wars of Religion and replaced with wood, then finally reconstructed with the regional stone in 1727. Exquisite marble inlay, done by Italian masons, can be seen throughout the reconstruction. During a visit to Viviers in 1857, Napoleon III offered the town three important Gobelins tapestries, made between 1720-1744, which decorate the choir.

A scenic mile-and-a-half walk from town takes you to this tiny rural chapel, set among shady trees and vineyards, built in honor of the 6th-century Saint Ostian, a hermit said to have performed various miracles. After his death, a chapel was erected on the site of his modest dwelling and was restored and enlarged in the 11th century. Excavations in the 19th century uncovered the saint's tomb, and his remains were moved to a crypt in the cathedral. Praying to the saint was believed to relieve periods of drought.

Although this stately 16th-century town house is not open to the public, its exceptional Renaissance façade is a must-see for history and architecture buffs. The building's four tiers, decorated with sculptural friezes, busts, columns, and medallions, are a remarkable example of a Renaissance nobleman's dwelling.

This exceptional example of a Roman bridge, built over the Escoutay River, is well worth the mile walk from the town center. Typical of the second century Roman style, with central portions dating from the second or third century, the bridge was reinforced in medieval times. The 330-foot long structure retains 11 of its original 12 or 13 arches and was part of a Roman road built to carry wine and salt through the region. For intrepid sightseers, the Chapelle Saint-Ostian is about a half-mile up the road.